By Eliana BarrigaPublisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

Eliana Barriga

On my recent flight to Philly, the airport was closed due to bad weather. I had an important engagement to attend early the next morning and missing it was not an option. Southwest did their best and flew us into Baltimore as an alternative, and in those moments, it takes everything you've got to keep cool and level-headed under pressure.

This situation (and the recent March Madness) brought to mind the wisdom of John Wooden, the former head coach at the University of California at Los Angeles.

In an article by Craig Impelman (Coach's grandson-in-law, motivational speaker and the author of Wooden’s Wisdom; TheWoodenEffect.com) speaking about adversity, he writes, "In Coach Wooden’s early life, his father set an example that had a very significant impact on him. He created a set of rules that he bestowed upon his sons: Don’t whine, don’t complain, and don’t make excuses. Just do the best you can. Nobody can do more than that."

Coach devised and collected a number of maxims regarding the best way to respond to difficult situations. They are great triggers that you can use with yourself, your staff and your team to rekindle a positive attitude when the going gets tough.• Bad times can make you bitter or better.• Never make excuses. Your friends won’t need them and your foes won’t believe them.• Things usually turn out the best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out.

Coach Wooden said, "Complaining, whining and making excuses just keep you out of the present. By handling yourself in such a way through difficult situations,you will not only find your own outlook improving,but you will likely inspire those around you, too."

Who we are personally shows up in our business affairs everyday. Take the time to respond better to difficult situations by rekindling a positive attitude. Live your life to the fullest right here and now, and remember...